Load compensating fluid pressure brake equipment



E. E. HEWITT Oct. 31, 1950 LOAD COMPENSATING FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28, 1948 III/1111114,

III.

65 so 59 5a III INVENTOR. E112}? iEHewz'tt ATTORAEY Oct. 31, 1950 E. E. HEWITT 2,528,143

LOAD COMPENSATING FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT Filed April 28, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J N VEN TOR.

Ellisfil Hewitt ATTORNEY Patented Got. 31, 1950 LOAD COMPENSATING FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT Ellis E. Hewitt, Edgewood, Pa., assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 28, 1948, Serial No. 23,687

17 Claims. (01. 303-22) This invention relates to fluid pressure operated brakes for railway vehicles or cars and more par.- ticularly to the load compensating type which vary the degree of braking of a car in accordance with variations in the weight thereof which varies in accordance with the loaded or empty condition of said car.

-A trend toward the use of light weight materials in the construction of railway cars hasresulted in the provision of a load compensating fluid pressure brake equipment which'has been put into service on railway cars in-the United States and is known as the ABLC brake equip,- ment. This equipment is substantially the same as the load compensating fluid pressure brake apparatus shown and described in a patent application of Earle S. Cook et al., Serial No. 736,010, filed March 20, 1947, now Patent No. 2,432,246, granted Sept. 28, 1949. Now, however, it is proposed to build freight cars which will be outside the normal weight ranges such as, for example, a freight car having a 90 ton capacity, for which it is believed the braking power of the aforesaid ABLC brake equipment would be inadequate.

The principal object of the invention therefore is to provide braking apparatus which will operate in conjunction with a load compensat ing brake of the aforementioned type to provide additional braking force, variable'in accordance brake cylinder devi e in such a manner that the total braking force on the car will vary according to the loaded conditions thereof. Preferably the additional brake cylinder device is employed for braking on truck of the car and the compensating brake cylinder device of the ABLC brake equipment is employedior'fbrakingfthe" other truck on the car. 1 I I I a More specifically, the compensatingbrake cylinder device of the ABLC brake equipment comprises a brake cylinder piston having-the usual pressure chamber at the frontside and a second or compensating pressure chamber at the opposite side. The well-known AB valve of. the ABLC equipment is employed for varying the pressure of fluid in the usual pressure chamber at the front side of'the brake cylinder pi'ston and a load; compensating valve device, also constituting a part of the ABLC equipment, is automatically adjustable according to the empty or;loaded condition of the car, to operate in response to the pressure of fluid in the usual pressure chamber to vary pressure of fluid in said second chamber, from atmospheric pressure for a fully loaded car substantially inversely in proportion tothe degree of load, for thereby varying the effect of the pressure of fluid on the front of the piston to apply the brakes, as a result of which the degree of braking of the one truck of the car will be varied in proportion to the degree of load carried thereby.

' According to the invention the additional brake cylinder device employed for braking the other car truck is of conventional type having a pressure chamber only at the one side of the piston,

and a self-lapping relay valve device is arranged for control by th pressures acting on opposite sides of the compensating brake cylinder piston in such a manner as to vary the pressure of fluid" in. the additional brake cylinder device and thereby the. degree of braking of the respective truck in proportion to the load thereon.

1 Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following moredetailed description of the'invention. i 1 I In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in outline and partly in section, of a load compensating fluid pressure .brake 'equipment embodying the invention; and

Fig.2 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Description a load compensating reservoir 1, a load compensating relay valve device 9, and aweighing gear or load adjusting mechanism Sa; the parts so far enumerated constituting the ABLC.equipment above'mentioned, Accordingto the invention the-brake apparatus further comprises a supplementarybrakecylinder device 6 of conventional structure having a single pressure chamber, and

a Variable loadrelay valve. device 8. The aux- -iliary, emergency'and load compensating reservoirs are preferablyin a common casing separated "by dividing walls as shown in Fig. l of the drawin'gs. It is also preferred that the load compensa'ting reservoir 1 be oi -larger capacity than that employed in the aforementioned ABLC load compensating brak equipment as required by the additional brake cyclinder device 6. All of the above enumerated structure is adapted to be carried by a sprung part of the car such as the under surface of the floor or center sill of a car.

The brake controlling valve device I may be of substantially the same construction and have the same operating characteristics as the AB valve device fully described in the patent to Clyde C. Farmer, No. 2,031,213, issued Feb. 18, 1936, in view of which it is not deemed necessary to show and describe this device in detail. Briefly, however, the brake controlling valve device I comprises a service portion 10 adapted to operate upon both a service and an emergency reduction in pressure of fluid in the brake pipe 2 for supplying fluid under pressure from the auxiliary reservoir 3 to a brake cylinder pipe H and thence to the brake cylinder device 5 for, upon a service reduction in brake pipe pressure, eifecting a service application of brakes on the car. The brake controlling valve device 1 also comprises an emergency portion 12 which is adapted to operate only upon an emergency reduction of pressure of fluid in brake pipe 2 for supplying fluid under pressure from the emergenc reservoir 4 to pipe H and thence to brake cylinder device 5, wherein such pressure, in addition to that provided from the auxiliary reservoir 3 by operation of the service portion I0, is adapted to operate the brake cylinder device 5 for efiecting an emergency application of brakes on the car. The service and emergency portions l and 12 of the brake controlling valve device I are mounted on opposite faces of a pipe bracket l3 to which all pipe connections to said valve device are made, as shown in the drawing.

The brake cylinder device comprises a hollow cup-shaped casing 14 to the open end of which is secured an annular pressure head I5 from which projects a hollow cup-shaped non-pressure head I6. A brake cylinder piston 11 is slidably mounted in the casing l4 and at one or thefront side thereof is the usual or a main pressure chamber i8 to which is connected the pipe H. The brake cylinder piston l1 comprises a piston head I9 to one face of which is connected a flexible packing cup for preventing leakage of fluid under pressure from the pressure chamber 18 to the opposite side of the piston. Secured to andprojecting from the piston H in a direction away from'the pressure chamber [8 is a" hollow stem 2! the opposite end of which is slidably mounted in a ring 22 secured in the pressure head 15. Carried by a the pressure head I5 and ring 22 is a packing cup or ring 23 having sealing and slidin contact with the outer peripheral surface of the stem 2| for preventing leakage of fluid under pressure from a compensating pressure chamber 24 formed around said stem between the pressure head i5 and the piston H, to a non-pressure chamber 25 formed within said stem and open to the interior 25 and a bore provided in the outer end of the non-pressure head iii to the exterior thereof, said rod being hollow to accommodate the usual push rod (not shown) for connecting the piston head I? to the brake rigging (not shown) for one truck of the car. Encircling the hollow rod 29 is a brake cylinder piston release spring 38 one end of which bears against the piston head 19 for moving the brake cylinder piston I! to its brake release position, in which it is shown in the drawing. The opposite end of the release spring 35 is supported on the non-pressure head 16.

of the non-pressure head I6 and thence to at- The load compensating device 8 comprises pilot and balancing flexible diaphragms 3i and 32, respectively, preferably of the same area arranged edge to edge in spaced relation and with their axes parallel. At one side of diaphragm 3! is a pressure chamber 33 which is connected to the brake cylinder pipe H through a passage 34 and a pipe 35. At the same side of diaphragm 32 is a balancing chamber 35 which is connected to pipe 21, leading to pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device, by Way of a choke or restricted passage 31, a passage 38 and pipe 27. Engaging the opposite face of diaphragm 3| is a follower 39 provided on one end of a stem 40, the opposite end of which engages an equalizing member or beam 4| within a pocket 42. Engaging the opposite end of the beam 4| within a similar pocket 43 is one end of a stem 44. The opposite end of stem 44 is in the form of a follower 45 which is secured to the side of diaphragm 32 opposite chamber 35 by means of a nut 46 contained in said chamber and between which nut and diaphragm is interposed a spring seat 4'1.

The nut 46 has an extension 48 slidably mounted in a bore in the casing and separating chamber 36 from a chamber 49 which is in communication with the passage 38. A pre-compressed spring contained in chamber 36 has one end supported by the casing while its opposite end bears against the spring seat 41. The nut 46 and extension 48 thereof are provided with an axial bore 5| open at one end to a chamber 52 in the casing and provided around the opposite end with a valve seat arranged for engagement by a release valve 53 which is contained in chamber 49 and which has a fluted stem 54 slidably mounted in said bore. Chamber 52 is in constant communication with atmosphere through a passage 55 It will be noted that the diaphragm stems 45, 44 and beam 4| are contained in chamber 52 and that the lower faces of the two diaphragms 3i and 32 are both subject to atmospheric pressure in said chamber.

The release valve 53, opposite the fluted stem 54, has an enlarged annular collar 56, one side of which is provided for contact with a combined valve guide and stop element '51 projecting from the casing into chamber 49, while the opposite side is arranged for contact by the end of a fluted stem 58 of a coaxially arranged fluid pressure supply valve 59 which is contained in a chamber 60. The chamber 60 is open to a passage 6| leading to a pipe 62 which is connected to the load reservoir 1. A bias spring 63 contained in chamber 60 bears on the supply valve 59 for urging it toward its seat.

The side of the'equalizing member or beam 4| opposite that from which the diaphragm follower stems 40 and 44 project is supported on a fulcrum, preferably in the form of a roller 64, which is carried by an axle 65. Mounted on end portions 61 of the axle 65 are rollers 58, one disposed at either side of the beam 4| and arranged to roll on a fiat surface 69 in the casing. The

surface 69 is formed at right angles to the normal, parallel axes of the diaphragms 3| and 32.

The equalizing member orbeam 4! is held against longitudinal movement by a yoke .10 pivoted .at one end on a pin 'II carried in arms I2 projecting from the casing. The yoke embraces the beam 4| between the rollers 68, and is pivotally connected at the other end to said beam near its center by a'pin I3. The roller 64 is adapted to be adjusted relative to the beam 4| longitudinally thereof to provide at its line of contact with the beam a fulcrum therefor, the yoke I0 being effective during such adjustment, and at all other times, to prevent longitudinal movement of said beam but in no wa interfering with rocking movement of the beam about its fulcrum connection with the roller 64, which will be later described.

The fulcrum roller 64 has two extreme positions with respect to the equalizing member or beam 4I, one position being that in which it is shown in the drawing, which position will hereinafter be referred to as the empty position which ,said roller will occupy when the car is empty.

In the other extreme position to be hereinafter referred to as full-load position, the roller 64 will be substantially below the endof the diaphragm follower stem 40 and this position will be assumed when the car is fully loaded. For various degrees of car load between empty and full-load the roller 55 will assume a corresponding position between the empty and full-load positions, just mentioned.

vA lever N5 disposed outside of the casing has one end secured to turn with. a shaft 'II'while connected to its opposite end bya pin 18 is one end of a connecting rod I9. rod I9 is connected by a pin 80 to one end of an arm BI, the opposite end of which is mounted to turn on a pin 82 carried by a sprung part 83 of the car.

Also pivoted on the pin 80 is the upper end of a measuring arm 84 comprising overlapping, upper and lower parts 85 and 86, respectively, rigidly clamped together by lock bolts 81. The lower end of the lower part 86 has an offset portion provided with a striking surface 88 for contacting the underside of an unsprung part 89 of the car truck in a substantially horizontal position of said surface. At each side of pin 80 the measuring arm M has an upstanding ear 90, the two ears being arranged for engagement by one end of a leaf spring 9! extending parallel to and over the top of the arm BI and secured atits opposite end to said arm. 'A bias spring 92 is interposed under pressure between arm BI and the sprung part .53 for normally biasing the arm III, the, lever I6 and the connecting parts to the position in which they are shown in the drawing. under which eral sections thereof a relatively small diaphragm 94 and. a relatively large diaphragm 95, which are positively connected together by means of a stem and follower96. followers 96a. and 96b, stem and follower 9! and a tie bolt 91a. The stem 95 is slidably mountedintermediate its ends in a bore 93 formed in casing 98 while the stem 91 is slida bly mounted at-its end in a bore 98a. in said casing. A. sealing ring 991s contained in an annular groove I00 in the wall of the bore 90 for preventing leakage through said bore. At the outer side of the small diaphragm 94 is a chamber I0! 7 The other end of which is open to atmosphere by way of a passage I02. At the inner side of the diaphragm 94 is a chamber I03 which is in open communication by way of a passage I04 and a portion of the pipe 1 21 with the compensating pressure chamber 24 H0 to the conventional brake cylinder device 6.

' The self-lapping valve unit I08 is arranged to be operated by the stem 91 upon which is mounted a shaft III which carries a rockable lever I I2. 'The lever I I2 is provided with oppositely disposed arms H3 and I I4 which are adapted to'control the operation of a supply valve mechanism and an exhaust valve mechanism, respectively.

The exhaust valve mechanism comprises a plunger H5 slidably mounted at one end in the 5 casing 93, a pilot exhaust valve I I6 and main exhaust valve IIT. One end of the plunger 'I I5 has a centralbore II8 Whichis open to'thechamber I01 by way of a passage H9 in orderto prevent trapping air, and effecting a dash pot action when the plunger is moved. Contained in the bore H8 is a sprin I20 which operatively engages the plunger H5 and which, as will hereinafter more fully appear, exerts a light counter-balancing pressure on the diaphragm assemblage. Intermediate its ends as indicated by the reference character I2I the plunger H5 is reduced in diameter' to form spaced shoulders I22 and I23 which are adapted to be operatively engaged by spaced convex surfaces I24 and I25, respectively,

It on end portion of the arm II4 of the lever II 2,

said end portion being forked to accommodate the reduced portion IZI of the plunger. The plunger H5 is provided with a collar I26 beyond which the plunger is provided with a screw- 15 threaded portion I21.

The main exhaust valve II! is provided with a stem I28 which is in axial alignment with the plunger H5 and which is provided with radially spaced guide lugs I29 which slidably engage the inner surface of a bore I 30 in the casing, said bore bein provided at one end'with a valve seat I3I for thefiexhaust valve. The valve stem I28 is integrally connected to a piston I32 which is'slidably mounted in the bore I30 and this piston is provided with a small port I33 which constantly connects a chamber I34 at one-sideof the piston to a chamber I35 at the opposite side thereof which latter chamber is constantly opento atmosphere through passage I31. The main exhaust valve is provided with a valve seat I38 on which, as will hereinafter be more fully described, the pilot exhaust valve I I 6 is adapted to seat and is provided with an axial bore I39 which extends from; thevalve seat I38 through the valve stem I20 to the outer face of the piston I32.

The pilot exhaust valve H0 is in axial alignment with the plunger H5 and main exhaust valve I I! and is provided with a circular head I40 which is in abutting relation with the screwthreaded portion I21 on the plunger by means of a hooded nut I4I, said nut being held against accidental turning by means of a pin I42, which passes through the nut and plunger and which is peened at each end over the nut. The valve I I6 is provided with a stem I43 which passes longitudinally through the bore I39 in the main exhaust valve H1 and which at its end is provided with a stop nut I44 for close engagement with the piston I32. It will be understood that the pilot exhaust'valve l I6 is movable relative to the main exhaust valve 'I I and that by reason of spaced lugs I29 the pilot exhaust valve is centralized with relation to the main exhaust valve and that when the pilot exhaust valve is open as shown in the drawings there will be an open communicawhich piston is slidably carried 'in a bore I41 in the casin 93, The bore I41 is provided at one end with a valve seat I48 and leads from a chamber I49 'at one side of piston I45 to the pressure chamber I01, said chamber I49 being in constant open communication by way of a passage and pipe I with a fluid pressure sourceof supply such as the load compensating reservoir 1. The main supply valve I46 is movable into and out of seating engagement with valve seat I48 and is therefore adapted to control communication between reservoir 1 and pressure chamber I01.

At the other side of the piston I45 is a chamber I5I which is connected to the chamber I49 by way of a branch of passage I50, a choke I52, and a passage I53. Contained in the chamber I5I is a pilot supply valve I54, which is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with a valve seat I on' the inner surface of the main supply valve I46 for controlling communication by way of a bore I55 between chambers I5I and I01. 4

Also contained in the chamber I5I are control springs I51 and I58 which atall times urge the main supply valve I46 and pilot supply valve I54 respectively toward their seats. The spring I51 is interposed between and operatively engages the piston I45 and a cap nut I59 which closes an opening in the casing 93. The spring I58 is encircled by the spring I51 and is interposed between and operatively engages the cap nut I59 and the pilot supply valve I54. The pilot supply valve I54 is provided with a fluted stem I60, which is slidably guided in the main supply valve I 46 within the bore I56. When the pilot valve I54 is seated, the stem I60 extends through the bore I56 beyond the face of the main supply valve I46 and is adapted to be engaged by one end of a control plunger I6 I, which is axially aligned with the 1 pilot supply valve I54 and which is slidably guided in a bore I52 in the casing 93. The end of the plunger I6I is of greater diameter than the bore I 56, so that it will operatively engage the face of the main supply valve I46 after the pilot supply valve I54 has been moved a limited distance in opening direction.

fulcrum member I is adjustable relative to the casin I08 and is made so for the purpose of varying the positions of the several movable parts of the valve device to compensate for unavoidable inaccuracies in manufacturing and to compensate for wear.

Operation In operation, let it be initially assumed that the brake equipment is devoid of fluid under pressure and that to condition the equipment for operation fluid under pressure is supplied to the brake pipe 2 in the usual manner.

The brake controlling valve device I will respond, in the usual manner, to the pressure of fluid thus supplied to the brake pipe 2 to charge the auxiliary reservoir 3 and the emergency reservoir 4 with fluid under pressure from said brake pipe, and to at the same time open to atmosphere, if not already open, the brake cylinder pipe II and thereby the pressure chamber I8 in the brake cylinder device 6. With pipe II thus open to atmosphere, the pilot diaphragm chamber 33 in the load compensating relay valve device 9 will also be open to atmosphere by way of passage 34 and pipes 35 and II, which will permit the spring 50 to deflect the balancing diaphragm 32 against its stem 44 and rock beam 41 about its fulcrum connection with roller 64, regardless of the adjusted position of said roller, to deflect the pilot diaphragm 3I into contact with the casing, in which position these partsare shown in the draw ing.

With the balancing diapiu'agm 32 positioned as just described, spring 63 will seat the fluid pressure supply valve 59 and the collar 56 on the release valve 53 will be just out of contact with the supply valve stem 58 and in engagement with the stop element 51, which will hold said release valve out of contact with its seat on the nut extension 48. With the release valve 53 thus open chambers 49 and 36,'and' thereby the connected compensating pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device 5, will be open to atmosphere by way of chamber 52 and port 55. With both pressure chambers I8 and 24 in the brake cylinder device 5 thus open to atmosphere, the brake cylinder piston 29 will assume its brake release position, in which it is shown in the drawing, under action of the release spring 30.

Chamber I03 in the variable load relay valve device 8 will likewise be open to atmosphere by way of the'passage I04, a branch of pipe 21, passage 38 in the load compensating relay valve device 9 and chamber 49, which, as just noted, is open to atmosphere. Chamber I05 will also be open to atmosphere by way of passage I06 and pipe I I, which, as previously noted, is connected to atmosphere by way of the brake controlling valve device I. With chambers I05 and I01 at atmospheric pressure the diaphragms 94 and will exert no force and a spring I61 will act upon a shoulder I68 of the follower and stem 91 for diaphragm 95 to effect downward movement of said follower and stem carrying with it the shaft III and causing the lever I I2 to rock against the force of spring I20 about the point of contact with the adjustable fulcrum member I66 to release position in which it is shown in the drawing.

In release position of the lever II2 the plunger 56I will be just out of contact with the bottom of the fluted stem I60 of the pilot supply valve I54 seat I55. Communication between chamber I49 and valve chamber I01 is therefore cut off.

Also, by reason of the engagement of the convex surfaces I24 and I25 of the arm II 4 of the lever II 2 with the respective shoulders I22 and I23 of the plunger H5 and by reason of the enclosure of the head I of the pilot exhaust valve H6 in the hooded nut I4I, when the lever H2 is in release position as shown in the drawing, the control spring I61 will through the medium of said stem and said plunger have actuated the pilot exhaust valve I I6v and thereby the main exhaust valve II! downwardly to their unseated position. With the exhaust valve II'I open the usual pressure chamber (not shown) of the conventional brake'cylinder device 6, will be open to atmosphere by way of pipe I I 3, passage I 09, valve chamber I37, past valve II! to chamber I35 and thence by way of passage I37.

With the pressure chamber in brake cylinder device 3 thus open to atmosphere a hollow stem I69 of said brake cylinder device will assume its release position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

When fluid under pressure is supplied tothe brake pipe 2 for charging the equipment as above mentioned, fluid under pressure from the brake pipe 2 will also flow from pipe bracket I3 by way of a pipe IE3 to the load compensating valve device 9 and thence by way of means (not shown) and pipe 62 to the load reservoir I for charging said reservoir with fluid at the pressure carried in the brake pipe.

In response to a certain degree of pressure of fluid supplied from the pipe bracket I3 the load compensating valve device 9 will act through the medium of the shaft TI to rock lever I6 in a counterclockwise direction and pull the connecting rod 13 in an upwardly direction. This movement of the connecting rod 79 will in turn rock the arm 8| in a clockwise direction about its fulcrum pin 82 and thus move the measuring arm 84 into contact with the unsprung part 89 of the truck. The measuring arm 8| as it is thus moved will first contact the side of the unsprung part 89 and will then be lifted vertically to bring the surface 88 thereof into engagement with the lowermost part of the unsprung part 89, this latter movement being relative to the arm 8! and being permitted by leaf spring 35.

Now assuming that the car is fully loaded the body thereof will occupy a position closer to. the unsprung part 89 of the truck than when the car is empty. In this fully loaded position the surface 88 on the measuring element 84 may therefore initially occupy a position further away from the unsprung part 89 than when the car is empty. In charging the equipment on a fully loaded car the measuring arm 34 will therefore moved by the load compensating valve device 9 a greater distance to bring the surface 88 of the measuring arm 54 into contact with the underside of the unsprung part 89 than is required when the car is empty. When the load compensating valve device 8 is thus operated to bring the measuring element 34 into contact with the underside of the sprung truck part 39 on the loaded car. the roller 54- will be actuated to its full-load position which is substantially under the end of the diaphragm follower stem 40.

For various degrees of load on the car, between empty and full-load, the car body will assume corresponding positions with respect to the unsprung part 83 of the car, and as a result, the measuring arm 84, and the fulcrum roller 64 as actuated by the load compensating valve device 3, will assume corresponding positions between the empty and full-load positions, as set forth in the previously mentioned patent.

With the equipment conditioned for operation, and with the brake pipe 2 fully charged to normal "I0 pressure, if either a. service or an emergency reduction in pressure in said brake pipe is effected, the brake controlling Valve device I will operate to supply fluid under pressure from either the auxiliary reservoir 3, or from both the auxiliary reservoir 3 and emergency reservoir 4, respectively, to the brake cylinder pipe II and thence to the main pressure chamber I8 in the brake cyl inder device 5, in the usual well-known manner. Fluid at the pressure thus provided in the brake cylinder pipe II will flow through pipe 35 and passage 34 to the pilot diaphragm chamber 33 in the load compensating valve device 9.

Let it now be assumed that the fulcrum roller 64 is in the empty position in which it is shown on the drawing. The pressure of fluid in the pilot diaphragm chamber 33 will then deflect the diaphragm 3| downward and rock the beam 4| about the fulcrum connection with roller 64 and thereby act through stem 44 to move the diaphragm 32 and nut 43 in an upward direction into contact with the release valve 53 and then actuate said valve to open the supply valve 59. Upon opening of the supply valve 59, fluid under pressure from the load reservoir I will flow throughpipe 62, passage 6| and the supply valve chamber 33 to chamber 49-, and thence through passage 38 and pipe 21 to the compensating pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device 3, and at the same time fluid under pressure will flow from passage 38 through choke 31 to chamber 36 at the upper side of diaphragm 32. Choke 3! is merely a stabilizing choke and its purpose is to prevent the pressure in diaphragm chamber 33 increasing ahead of that in the pressure chamber 24 of the brake cylinder device 5..

Fluid under pressure will thus continue to be supplied to the compensating pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device andto diaphragm chamber 36 until such pressure acting on diaphragm 32, plus the pressure of spring '53, acting on one end of the beam 4! is increased to a degreesufflcient to overbalance the pilot pressure in chamber 33 acting on diaphragm 3!, whereupon diaphragm 32 will be deflected downwardly to permit closing of the supply valve 59- by spring 63 for preventing further flow of fluid under pressure to the compensating pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device 5. When the supply valve 59 is closed, as just mentioned, there will be no further flowof fluid under pressure to and consequent increase in pressure of fluid in diaphragm chamber 36 whereupon deflection of diaphragm 32 will cease in a lap position in which the fluid pressure release valve 53 is still seated. With the fulcrum roller 34 in the empty position, substantially midway between the diaphragm stems) and 44, the pressure of fluid obtained in the compensating pressure chamber 24 of the brake-cylinder device 5 will therefore be limited to adegreejust slightlyless than the pressure offluid in the main brake cylinder pressure chamber I8 asdetermined mainly by the pressure of spring 50 on diaphragm 32,

The pressure of fluid thus provided in the compensating pressure chamber 24 0f the brake cylinder device 5 acts over the area of the brake cylinder piston II outside of the hollow stem 2|, and the force thus created is less than that due to pressure of fluid in the main pressure chamber I8 acting over the full area of said piston, so that said piston will be forced in the direction of the right hand against the force of the release spring 30 to apply the brakes with. a pressure equal to the differential between these forces, this latter wee? pressure being adequate to insure the desired braking of one truck of the empty car.

Now when the brake controlling valve device I operates to supply fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder pipe II, the fluid at the pressure thus provided will also flow through passage I06 to the large diaphragm chamber I in the variable 'loadrelay valve device 8. Pressure of fluid in chamber I05 acting on the diaphragm 95, with the assistance of the presently compressed spring I) acting through the medium of arm H4 of lever i I2, will deflect said diaphragm upward carrying with it the shaft III and central portion of the lever H2 in the same direction. As the lever IE2 is thus moved the arm H4 thereof will fulcrum on the adjacent end of the plunger I6I,

ie force of the spring I 58 acting on said plunger through the medium of the pilot supply valve i54 being suiiicient to prevent movement of the plunger by the lever until, as will hereinafter a'ppear, the pilot and main exhaust valves I I6 and IE1, respectively, are seated.

Since the end of the arm I I3 is fulcrumed as just described, the arm I I4 will be caused to move in the same direction as the diaphragm 95, follower 96a and stem 962) are moving, the lever i 62 rocking slightly about the shaft II I and the arm I I3 rocking slightly on the end of the plunger lSI. The arm H4 as it thus moves will force the plunger H5 in the same direction as the stem 95a is moving and first will cause the pilot exhaust valve I I6 to seat on the main exhaust valve IE! and through the medium of said pilot exhaust valve will cause the main exhaust valve to seat.

When the main exhaust valve H1 is seated, the shoulder I22 on the plunger H5 will act as a stationary fulcrum for the arm H4 of the lever H2 so that as the stem 96a and diaphragm '15 continue to move upwardly the arm H3 will be caused to move in the same direction as said stem is moving, the lever rocking slightly about the shaft III and arm H4 rocking slightly on the shoulder I22.

The arm H3 as it is thus moved will force the plunger ISI in the same direction as the stem 96a is moving and said plunger being in engagement with fluted stem I60 of pilot supply valve I54 will cause this valve to be unseated against the opposing pressure of spring I58. Fluid under pressure will now flow from chamber I5i to chamber I01 at a faster rate than fluid is supplied thereto through the restricted passage I52. This will result in a reduction in the pressure of fluid in chamber I5I and as a consequence the pressure acting on piston I to maintain the valve I46 seated will be reduced.

After the pilot valve I54 has been unseated the plunger I6I will engage the face of the valve I46, at which time the combined pressures of fluid in chamber I5I and of springs I51 and I58 will slightly exceed main reservoir pressure in chamber I49 acting on that portion of the valve piston I45 which surrounds valve I46. In view of this only a slight increase in fluid pressure in diaphragm chamber I05 over that required to unseat the pilot valve I54 will be necessary to cause the valve I46 to be unseated against the opposing reduced seating pressure.

Upon a slight increase in fluid pressure in chamber I05 fluid under pressure supplied from load compensating reservoir I to chamber I49 by way of pipe I09 and passage I now will flow past the unseated supply valve I46 to chamber I07, whence it will flow through passage and pipe H0 to the brake cylinder device 6, thus at the same time effecting an application of the brakes on the other truck of the car.

It should be understood that the fluid pressure thus established in valve chamber I01 and consequently in the connected brake cylinder device 6 will not be equal to the pressure of fluid in the brake cylinder pipe II acting in chamber I05 for when the load compensating relay valve device 9 operates to supply fluid under pressure to chamber 24 by way of pipe 2?, as previously described, fluid under pressure in pipe 21 will also flow to chamber I03 in the relay valve device 8.

The pressure of fluid thus supplied to chamber I03 will exert a force upon diaphragm 94 in a downward direction. Since diaphragm 94 is positively connected to diaphragm 95 by means of the stem and follower 96, the force thus exerted by diaphragm 94 is in direct opposition to that exerted by diaphragm 95. The pressure of fluid in chamber I03 being only slightly less than that in chamber I05 when the car is empty, the larger diaphragm 95 will always prevail and the resulting upward movement of the diaphragm assemblage will always effect the operation of the self-lapping unit I08 in the manner just described.

When the pressure of fluid in valve chamber I07 of the variable load relay valve device 8 becomes substantially equal to the resultant of pressure of fluid in chambers I05 and I03, the spring I51 and pressure of fluid in chamber I5I will act to seat the main supply valve I46 of the piston I45, after which the spring I58 will act to seat the pilot supply valve I54. The supply valves as they are thus moved to their seats, shifts the plunger I6I and thereby the arm H3 of the lever H2 in the same direction. Since the arm H4 of the lever H2 is fulcrumed on the plunger H5 this movement of the arm H3 will cause the diaphragm assemblage to move downwardly; i. e., toward the position in which it is shown in the drawing.

Thus it will be seen that a certain minimum braking force is provided by the brake cylinder device 6 to supplement a minimum force provided by the standard ABLC load compensating brake equipment when an empty car is being braked and the maximum fluid pressure is present in the compensating chamber 24 of the brake cylinder device 5.

If the fulcrum roller 64 of the load compensating relay valve device 9 is in its full-load position, substantially under the end of the diaphragm stem 40, the pressure of spring 50 on diaphragm 32 will hold said diaphragm and thereby the diaphragm Si in the position in which they are shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings against the maximum pressure of fluid which will be provided in the brake cylinder pressure chamber I8 and thereby in the pilot diaphragm chamber 33 in effecting an application of brakes on the car. As a result, the release valve 53 will be maintained open by spring 50 so as to maintain the pipe 21 and the compensating pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device 5 open to atmosphere, as a result of which, the raking force obtained on one truck of the fully loaded car will be governed by the pressure of fluid provided in chamber I8 acting over and times the full area of piston I'I.

With the pipe 2'! open to atmosphere by means of the release valve 53 being unseated the connected chamber I03 in the relay valve device 8 will also be open to atmosphere, thus per mitting the pressure of fluid in chamber I55 acting upon diaphragm 95 and opposed solely by the spring I61 to govern and provide a maximum braking force on the other truck for the fully loaded vehicle by the supplementary brake cylinder device 6.

Now assume that the fulcrum roller 64 is adjusted midway between its empty and fullload positions, for example, for a car half loaded, fluid will be provided in the compensating pressure chamber- 24 in the brake cylinder device 5, and thereby in diaphragm chamber 36 in the compensating device, until the pressure thereof plus that of spring 50 is able to overbalance the pressure in the pilot diaphragm chamber 33 so as to permit closing of the supply valve 59, whereby the brakes for the one truck of the car will be applied by force, governed by the pressure of fluid in chamber I8 acting on the full area of piston I1 less the opposing pressure of fluid in the compensating pressure chamber 24 acting on asmaller area of said piston, which opposing pressure is proportional to the semi-loaded condition of the car, whereby the braking power delivered by the brake cylinder device for braking the one truck on the car will be proportional to the semi-loaded condition of the car. It will be apparent that for any other adjustment of the fulcrum roller 64 between its empty and full-load positions the pressure of fluid in the compensating pressure chamber 24 of the brake cylinder device 5 will be correspondingly limited so as to provide a braking force for the one truck on the car proportional to the degree of load on the car.

In the relay valve device 8, the diaphragm assemblage, being subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in brake cylinder pipe II and load compensating pipe 21, Will operate the self-lapping valve unit I08 in response to a pressure differential similar to that established in the brake cylinder device 5 to supply fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder device 6 until the device 6 delivers a braking power for braking the other truck on the car to a degree cor-v responding to the degree of braking power exerted on the first truck, which will, of course, be proportional to the semi-loaded condition of the car.

Upon an increase in pressure of fluid in brake pipe 2 for causing operation of the brake controlling valve device I to effect a release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder pipe II and thereby from the main pressure chamber I8 in the brake cylinder device 5for releasing the brakes, a corresponding reduction in pressure of fluid in the pilot diaphragm chamber 33 will occur. As the pressure of fluid in chamber 33 is thus reduced the pressure of fluid in chamber 36, plus the pressure of spring 56, will deflect the diaphragm 32 and thereby rock the beam AI about its fulcrum connection with roller 64 for pulling the nut extension 48 out of engagement with the release valve 53. Upon opening of the release valve 51 fluid under pressure will be released from the compensating pressure chamber 24 in the brake cylinder device 5 along with the release of fluid under pressure from the main pressure chamber I3. When the pressure of fluid in pressure chamber I8 of the brake cylinder device 5 is. reduced below the opposing pressure of the release spring the release spring will return piston Il as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

The brake cylinder release position at substantially the same time as brake cylinder device 5 does, since upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in brake cylinder pipe I I a, corresponding reduction in the pressure of fluid in chamber I05 of the relay valve device 8 occurs. lhe pressure of fluid in chamber IE5 is likewise reduced to atmospheric pressure when pipe 2'! 'is opened to atmosphere by the release valve 57. The combined pressures of spring I61 and fluid in chamber I 01 acting on the inner face of the diaphragm 95 then causes the diaphragm assemblage to move downward, carrying lever I I2 mounted on stem and follower 97 in the same direction.

At substantially the same time as the diaphragm 95 starts to move downward the end of the arm II3'of the lever II2 fulcrums on the fulcrum member I66 and thereafter the continued movement of the stem 97 downwardly I causes the arm IM 0f the lever and thereby the plunger H5 to move in the direction of the diaphragm assemblage, the plunger compressing the spring I225. The plunger in its movement first moves the pilot exhaust valve I'I6 from its seat against the opposing pressure of fluid in valve chamber Itl'. Fluid-under pressure in chamber IE! will then flowby way of bore I39in valve II! to chamber I34 thus balancing the pressures acting on said valve. The pilot exhaust valve will then act through the medium of the valve stem I43 and stop nut I44 to move the main exhaust. valve II'I out of engagement with its seat. Fluid under pressure thus supplied to chamber I 34 will slowly flow to atmosphere by way of port I33, chamber I and passage I31.

With the main exhaust valve I I1 unseated fluid under pressure flows from chamber In! and the connected brake cylinder device 6 to the atmos- Summary It will now be seen that there has been provided a relatively simple Variable load brake equipment for heavy cars outside of the normal weight range which may be used in conjunction with the standard ABLC load compensating brake equipment. The equipment constitutes a. self-lapping valve device which is adapted to set up the pressure of fluid in the compensating chamber of the standard ABLC brake cylinder against the pressure of fluid in the main pressure chamber of the same and to supply fluid under pressure to a supplementary brake cylinder of the conventional type in accordance with the resultant. By this means, the supplementary brake cylinder device pressure increases proportionately as the compensating chamber pressure decreases and vice versa and hence the'effectiveness of the supplementary brake cylinder device varies with the effectiveness of the compensating brake cylinder device 5. Under all empty or loaded conditions of the car the braking of I the car provided by the load compensating brake device 6 will also assume 15 sure chambers and operative to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction in pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to one of said chambers, and control means comprising valve means operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to the other of said chambers.

2. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a vehicle comprising in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, valve means having two pressure chambers operative to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder, said valve means being operative in response to the preponderance of force exerted by the pressure of fluid in one chamber over the forec exerted by the pressure of fluid in the other chamber to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder accordingly, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction in pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to one of said chambers, and control means comprising valve means operative in response to the pressure of fluid supplied to said one chamber to supply fluid under pressure to said other chamber.

3. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a vehicle comprising in combination, a, brake pipe, a brake cylinder, valve means having two pressure chambers and operative to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction in pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to one of said chambers, and control means comprising valve means operative in response to the pressure of fluid supplied to one of said chambers to supply fluid under pressure to the other of said chambers.

4. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a vehicle comprising in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, valve means having two pressure chambers and operative in response to a preponderance of force exerted by the pressure of fluid in one chamber over the force exerted by the pressure of fluid in the other chamber to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder accordingly, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction of pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to one of said chambers, and control means comprising valve means operative in response to the pressure of fluid supplied to said one chamber to supply fluid under pressure to the other of said chambers.

5. In a fluid pressure brake equipment for a car, in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder device operable by fluid under pressure to brake said car, valve means comprising differential area movable abutment means operable in accordance with the pressure of fluid in one chamber acting on a larger area as opposed by pressure of fluid in a second chamber acting on a smaller area to provide a proportional pressure in said brake cylinder device, brake controlling means operable upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to said one chamber, and a mechanism for varying the pressureof fluid in said second chamber substantially inversely in proportion to the load on the car.

6. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a load carrying vehicle comprising in combination, a brake cylinder, a reservoir, valve means comprising two pressure chambers and movable abutment means subject opposingly to the pressures of fluid in said chambers, said valve means being operative by said movable abutment means in response to the pressure of fluid in one of said chambers to supply fluid under pressure from said reservoir to said brake cylinder in accordance with the differential in pressure of fluid in said chambers, a brake pipe, brake controlling means operable upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to said one chamber, and a load compensating means comprising an adjustable element and a mechanism for variously positioning said element in accordance with the weight of the vehicle between full-load and empty positions, said compensating means being operative in response to the pressure of fluid in said one chamber to supply fluid from'said reservoir to the other of said chambers at a pressure proportional to the adjustment of said compensating means and the pressure of fluid in said one chamber.

'7. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a load carrying vehicle comprising in combination, a brake cylinder, valve means comprising two pressure chambers and movable abutment means subject opposingly to the pressure of fluid in said chambers, said valve means being operative in response to the pressures of fluid in said chambers to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder in accordance with the differential pressure of fluid in said chambers, a brake pipe, brake controlling means operable upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to one of said chambers, and a load compensating means comprising an adjustable element and a mechanism for variously positioning said element in accordance with the weight of the vehicle between full-load and empty positions, said compensating means being operable in response to the pressure of fluid in said one chamber to supply fluid to the other of said chambers at a pressure proportional to the adjustment of said compensating means and the pressure of fluid in said one chamber.

8. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a load carrying vehicle comprising in combination, a brake cylinder, valve means comprising two pressure chambers and movable abutment means subject opposingly to the pressures of fluid in said chambers, said valve means being operative in response to aproponderance of force exerted by the pressure of fluid in one chamber over the force exerted by the pressure of fluid in the other chamber to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder accordingly, a brake pipe, brake controlling means operable upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to said one chamber, and a load compensating means comprising an adjustable element and a mechanism for variously positioning said element in accordance with the weight of the vehicle between full-load and empty positions, said compensating means being operative in response to the pressure of fluid in said one chamber to supply fluid to the other of said chambers at a pressure proportional to the adjustment of said compensating means and the pressure of fluid in said one chamber.

9. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a vehicle in combination, a brake cylinder, valve means having two pressure chambers and a movable abutment operative to supply fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder in accordance with the pressure of fluid in said chambers, a brake pipe, brake controlling means operable upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to one of said chambers for operation of said valve means, and a, relay valve device operative in response to the pressure of fluid supplied to the one arcane said pressure chambers at degrees of pressureproportional relative to the degree of pressure in saidone pressure chamberand inversely to the weight of the load on the'vehicle.

'10; A fluid pressure brake equipment for a vehicle comprising in combination, a brakepipe, a brake cylinder device comprising a, piston having on one side a certain area which'is subject to pressure of fluid'in one chamber and having a reduced area on the opposite sidesubject to the pressure of fluid in a second chamber, and operative to provide a braking force on one tr'uck of the vehicle in accordance with the differentialin forces developed on opposite sides of said piston by pressure of fluid in said chambers, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction in pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to said one chamber, control means comprising valve means operative upon a reduction of pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to said second chamber, a, second brake cylinder device having a piston subject to pressure of fluid on one side only, movable abutment means having a movable abutment of a certain area which is subject to the pressure of fluid in said one chamber and havin another movable abutment of, a reduced area subject opposingly to the pressure of fluid in said second chamber, and valve means operative by said movable abutment means to supply fluid under pressure to said second brake cylinder device for providing a braking force on the other truck of the vehicle in accordance with the differential forces developed on the opposing movable abutments by pressure of fluid acting thereon.

11. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a vehicle comprising in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder device comprising a piston having on one side a certain area which is subject to pressure of fluid in one chamber and having a reduced area on the opposite side subject to the pressure of fluid in a second chamber, and operative to provide a braking force on one truck of the vehicle in accordance with the diflerential in forces developed on opposite sides of said piston by pressure of fluid in said chambers, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction in pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to said one chamber, control means comprising valve means operative upon a reduction of pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to said second chamber, a second brake cylinder device having a piston subject to pressure of fluid on one side only, movable abutment means comprising one diaphragm subject to the pressure of fluid supplied to said one chamber and a smaller diaphragm subject opposingly to the pressure of fluid supplied to said second chamber, and valve means operative by said movable abutment means to supply fluid under pressure to said second brake cylinder device for providing a braking force on the other truck of the vehicle in accordance with the diflerential in forces developed on the opposing movable abutments by pressure of fluid acting thereon.

12. The combination with a variable load vehicle brake equipment of the type comprisinga brake pipe, first and second brake cylinder pipes, a brake controlling valve device operable upon a reduction of pressure of fluid in said brake pipe I to supply fluid under pressure to said first brake cylinder pipe and upon an increase in pressure in said brake pipe to release fluid under pressure from said first brake cylinder pipe, one relay i8 valve device comprising a balancing lever having a fulcrum, two movable abutments subject, respectively and opposingly, to pressure of fluid in said first and second brake cylinder pipes and connected to saidlever, and valve means controlled by said lever for varying the pressure of fluid in said second brake cylinder pipe according to variations in the pressure of fluidin said first brake cylinder pipe, said fulcrum being adjust able relative to said lever for varying the effectiveness of said valve means according to the load on the vehicle, means operative to adjusts-aid fulcrum according to the load on the vehicle of, a brake cylinder, and a second relay valve device comprising two other 'movable abutments subject, respectively and opposingly, to pressure of fluid in said first and second brake cylinder pipes, and valve means controlled by said other movable abutments for varying the pressure of fluid in said brake cylinder according to variaf tions in pressure of fluid in said first and second brake cylinder pipes, Y I v 13. The combination with a load compensating brake equipment of the type having a brake cylinder with a main pressure chamber and a load compensating pressure chamber and having ,a load adjustable relay valve device operativein response to the pressure of fluid supplied to said main pressure. chamber to supply fluidfrom said load compensating reservoir to s'aidload compensating chamber at pressures proportioned according to the degree of pressure in said main pressure chamber and according to the degree of load on the vehicle of, a second brake cylinder, movable abutment means subject opposingly to pressures of fluid in said pressure chambers, and valve means controlled by said movable abutment means for supplying fluid under pressure to said second brake cylinder at pressures varying according to the variations in pressure of fluid in said pressure chambers.

14. In a load compensating fluid pressure brake equipment for a load carrying vehicle of the type having a brake cylinder with a mainpressure chamber and a load compensating pressure chamber and having a load adjustable relay valve device operable in response to the pressure of fluid supplied to said main pressure chamber to supply fluid from a load compensating reser-' voir to said load compensating chamber at pressures proportioned according to the degree of pressure in said main pressure chamber and according to the degree of load on the vehicle, the combination with said reservoir, a second brake cylinder, a second relay valve devic comprising two movable abutments subject respectively and chamber and having a load adjustable relay valvedevice operable in response to the pressure of fluid supplied to said main pressure chamber to supply fluid from a load compensating reservoir to said load compensating chamber at pressures proportioned according to the degree of pressure in said main pressure chamber and according to the degree of load on the vehicle. the combination with said load compensating reservoir, of a supplementary brake cylinder device, and a second relay valve device comprising movable abut- 'ment means subject on one side to the pressure of fluid supplied to said main pressure chamber and subject on the other side to the pressure of fluid supplied to said load compensating pressure chamber, and valve means operable by said movable abutment means to supply fluid from said load compensating reservoir to said supplementary brake cylinder device at a pressure corresponding to the difierence in pressures acting on said movable abutment means.

16. The combination with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type embodying a brake cylinder device having a usual pressure chamber at one side of the brake cylinder piston and a compensating chamber at the opposite side, brake controlling means operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to said usual chamber and mechanism for varying the pressure of fluid in said compensating chamber substantially inversely in proportion to the load on the car, of another brake cylinder device having a pressure chamber, and valve means automatically operative in accordance with the pressures in the two chambers of the first named brake cylinder device for varying pressure of fluid in the pressure chamber of said other brake cylinder device substantially in direct proportion to the load on the car.

17. A fluid pressure brake equipment for a ve-' hicle comprising a brake pipe, a brake cylinder device, a self-lapping relay valve device comprising differential area movable abutment means and valve means operable by pressure of fluid acting on the larger area of said abutment means as opposed by pressure of fluid acting on a smaller area of said abutment means to govern pressure of fluid in said brake cylinder device, brake controlling means operable upon a reduction in pressure of fluid in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to act on said larger area, and means automatically adjustable according to the load on the vehicle operative in response to operation of said brake controlling valve device to supply fluid to act on said smaller area at a pressure substantially inversely proportional to said load.

ELLIS E. HEWITT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 976,000 Schneck Nov. 15, 1910 2,148,725 Borde Feb. 28, 1939 

